It was just like the days of Ancient Rome, with gladiators fighting gladiators
at the Colosseum.

This time, however, there was a 21st-century twist.

One gang of gladiators, clad in plastic helmets and breast armour and carrying
wooden swords, were undercover police officers. The other group of
gladiators ended up in handcuffs.

The extraordinary scene unfolded in front of bewildered tourists at Italy’s
most visited monument after the authorities decided to break up the violent
cartel that controls the fake gladiators outside the Ancient Roman arena.

The so-called gladiators, who in fact dress more like Roman centurions, can
make €1,200